Pete
Fiutak
Q:
What's the one thing you'd recommend to
Tommy Tuberville, Rich Rodriguez, and other members of the American
Football Coaches Association to improve: TV/replay effectiveness, Game
flow/clock operation, Football-related rules that affect the action of a
play?
,A:
- TV/replay effectiveness: First of all,
cameras should be set up on the goal lines and sidelines to get the
critical plays that no one seems to get a solid shot of. Second, don't
rely on replay as a crutch. Everyone has to remember that the on-field
officials have to call the game, while the replay guy is simply there to
be an extra set of eyes. Third, the idea of conclusive evidence has to
be enforced. It's fine if a replay official doesn't overturn a call if
there's even the slightest bit of doubt. If the call isn't right, it's
the fault of the guys on the field.
- Game flow/clock operation: The new clock rules aren't nearly
as bad as everyone is making them out to be, but they should be thrown
out in the final two minutes, and there should be an NFL-like two minute
warning.
- Football-related rules that affect the action of a play:
It's not a rule, but a belief: swallow the whistle. I don't necessarily
had bad calls, but I hate when ticky-tack calls are made, and are
expected, that affect big plays. I subscribe to the playground
basketball rules of no autopsy, no foul. Yeah, call the basics and
follow the rules and regulations of the game, but pass interference had
better be a mauling. Holding needs to really be holding. Let the players
play, and let the players decide the outcome.
Richard
Cirminiello
Q:
What's the one thing you'd recommend to
Tommy Tuberville, Rich Rodriguez, and other members of the American
Football Coaches Association to improve: TV/replay effectiveness, Game
flow/clock operation, Football-related rules that affect the action of a
play?
*
TV/replay effectiveness – Instant replay is here to stay. Yeah,
it’s been imperfect, but still much better than the old system when
blatantly blown calls were irreversible. The technology exists to
assist officials with difficult calls, but can’t the no-brainers be
solved a little quicker in the replay booth? Heck, if I can make the
verdict in a few seconds from my living room, so should the replay
official in the booth. Pay as much attention to hiring and training
these gents, so the flow of the game doesn’t have to be needlessly
interrupted any longer than it must.
* Game flow/clock operation – I’ve got no beef with trying to
move along the pace of games this year, but running the clock on an
official’s ready-for-play signal after a change of downs and after a
first down is robbing everyone of some potentially exciting finishes.
Witness the Washington-USC game two weeks ago when time ran out after a
first down, preventing the Huskies from taking one final shot at the
Trojan end zone. Can the rule entirely, or better yet, phase it out in
the final five minutes of each half.
*
Football-related rules that affect the action of a play – I’ve
always hated the rule that protects the quarterback by allowing him to
hurl a ball 50 yards out of bounds to avoid a sack provided he’s outside
the tackles. This is football for Pete’s sake. If a defensive player
busts through the line, he deserves a crack at the quarterback, right?
Nothing illegal or dangerous. No pile drives with the helmet or tugs on
the face mask. Just a clean sack for his efforts. Any attempts to
diminish the physical side of the sport are patently anathema to what
makes it so appealing to players and fans alike.
John
Harris
Q:
What's the one thing you'd recommend to
Tommy Tuberville, Rich Rodriguez, and other members of the American
Football Coaches Association to improve: TV/replay effectiveness, Game
flow/clock operation, Football-related rules that affect the action of a
play?
A. TV replay
effectiveness – I think the biggest thing that could be done is to
have a national group of replay officials that are assigned to games
haphazardly. I would like to see a full-time group that studies ways to
make replay more efficient throughout the three month season. Then,
watch as much game film as possible with their time. It’s the only way
to get better.
Game flow/clock
operation – This is simple to me. Go to NFL rules until the last
two minutes of a half. Then, let the clock stop after first downs and
give a team the chance at a comeback. Leave halftime twenty minutes –
have a love for the fine arts and enjoy a band at halftime.
Football-related
rules that affect the action of a play – Someone has to take a hard
look at what is considered roughing the passer. I’ve seen way too many
penalties this year that were just guys with too much momentum not being
able to stop. It’s one thing to take a flying leap at a QB with your
helmet, it’s quite another when he throws the ball and he’s hit
immediately. QBs are wearing pads, let them get hit within the letter
of the law.
Matthew
Zemek
Q:
What's the one thing you'd recommend to
Tommy Tuberville, Rich Rodriguez, and other members of the American
Football Coaches Association to improve: TV/replay effectiveness, Game
flow/clock operation, Football-related rules that affect the action of a
play?
A: - TV/replay effectiveness: Have cameras
(perhaps fixed or mounted) squarely on all major lines (sideline, end
line, goal line, 45-yard line on onside kicks) to create easy, smooth
oversight and administration of replays. It only makes sense that on a
heavily-lined and chalked field, cameras must have exact angle shots of
major lines to provide reviews the clarity they demand and deserve.
- Game flow/clock operation: Ditch the new clock rules as the
way to shorten the game. Seek other answers, specifically letting the
clock run after first downs. Not rocket science.
- Football-related rules that affect the action of a play:
Simplify the rule book, just like the tax code, on various
interpretations. Specifically, junk the useless and confusing term known
as a "football move." If a receiver has a foot down with possession,
that's it--good catch. This will help replay administration and
interpretation by leaps and bounds, and everyone associated with the
sport should welcome such simplicity.
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